Endovascular management of aneurysms associated with spinal arteriovenous malformations

Intraspinal canal platform system for coil embolization of anterior spinal artery aneurysm associated with spinal cord arteriovenous malformation: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for spinal artery aneurysms associated with spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is poor because of the high rupture rate of aneurysms. However, endovascular treatment remains technically difficult because the catheter system must be constructed via the small-caliber anterior spinal artery (ASA) or posterior spinal artery (PSA), which feeds functionally eloquent spinal cord. A 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter (Tokai Medical Products, Aichi, Japan) has been specifically designed to assist a 1.6F Carnelian MARVEL S microcatheter (Tokai Medical Products) as a small-profile 'platform catheter' close to the target lesion. Here we present a prenidal ASA aneurysm treated using a 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter as an intraspinal canal platform catheter and review related literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 50-year-old man presented with a subarachnoid haemorrhage due to cervical spinal cord AVM. Diagnostic vertebral angiography revealed the AVM supplied by the PSA originated from the right C2 segmental artery and ASA arising from the right V4 segment. Superselective angiography for each feeder was achieved through a 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter, and a prenidal ASA aneurysm was diagnosed, which was clinically consistent with haemorrhagic origin. A 1.6F Carnelian MARVEL S microcatheter was cannulated into the aneurysm through the 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter positioned at the ASA. The aneurysm coiling was successfully performed without system instability or periprocedural complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a few cases have described endovascular treatment for spinal artery aneurysms. To date, no reports have been published regarding the use of an intraspinal canal platform catheter to treat spinal artery aneurysms. A 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter served as a useful intraspinal canal platform catheter for coil embolization of the ASA aneurysm. This system can provide excellent accessibility and controllability for endovascular treatment of spinal artery lesions.

Reversible Symptom Aggravation by Intake of Taurine-Rich Foods in Patients with Venous Congestive Myelopathy: Controlled Case Series Study

Purpose

Reversible aggravation of myelopathy symptoms was observed after the intake of taurine-rich foods in patients with venous congestive myelopathy (VCM) caused by a spinal arteriovenous shunt (SAVS), and the taurine-challenge test was applied to demonstrate an association between taurine and VCM.

Materials and Methods

The current study reviewed any aggravation history of myelopathy symptoms, including walking difficulty, after consuming taurine-rich foods among 133 consecutive patients with a SAVS from a prospective institutional database from June 2013 to February 2021. The type of taurine-rich foods, demographic data, arteriovenous shunt level, and follow-up periods were obtained. For the controlled taurine challenge test, Bacchus^® (Dong-A Pharmaceutical, Seoul, Korea), a taurine-rich drink, was given to patients who fulfilled test criteria of recovered VCM (pain-sensory-motor-sphincter scale ≥2, improvement of spinal cord signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging, and follow-up >6 months after SAVS treatment) to confirm the disappearance of such aggravation.

Results

Ten patients had an aggravation history related to food. Webfoot octopus, small octopus, squid, crab, scallop, and taurine-rich energy drink (Bacchus^®) were related to such aggravation in patients with VCM. Aggravation appeared about 30 minutes after food intake followed by expressions such as ‘I could not walk and collapsed to the ground’ and usually lasted for about 3 hours, followed by a slow recovery after taking rest. Four patients who met the test criteria underwent the taurine challenge with Bacchus^® and revealed no further symptom aggravation, suggesting that taurine did not affect patients after recovery from VCM.

Conclusion

The association between taurine-rich food and reversible symptom aggravation can appear in patients with VCM and disappear after VCM treatment. Aggravation of venous hypertension in the spinal cord is suggested as a mechanism but further elucidation is needed.

Spinal glomus AVM presenting solely with groin pain: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Spinal glomus arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare and can cause neurological morbidity due to spinal hemorrhage, venous hypertension, or mass effect.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors presented a rare case of spinal glomus AVM presenting with groin pain due to nerve root compression by a feeder aneurysm. A 41-year-old woman was referred to the hospital with initial right groin pain that had worsened over 2 months. Magnetic resonance imaging showed intra- and extramedullary abnormal flow voids at the T11–12 level, and spinal angiography revealed an intramedullary AVM, with extramedullary protrusion of an aneurysm on the feeder vessel, which arose from the sulcal artery of the anterior spinal artery. Because compression of the right L1 nerve root by the aneurysm was the likely cause of the patient’s pain, endovascular embolization was performed. The feeder aneurysm disappeared after partial n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate embolization, and the groin pain disappeared immediately after treatment. Her clinical status has been stable with no recurrence during 1 year of follow-up.

LESSONS

This is the first report of glomus-type AVM presenting with radiculopathy alone. One should not overlook the possibility of spinal AVM among patients with groin pain.

Role of the Cervical Anterior Spinal Artery in the Endovascular Treatment of Vascular Diseases: Bystander, Accomplice, Victim, or Friend?

The cervical anterior spinal artery (ASA) is a very important artery arising from the intracranial vertebral artery (VA). It can play different roles in endovascular treatment (EVT) of spinal vascular diseases. The current understanding of these roles is incomplete; therefore, we performed this review. We found that cervical ASA can be involved in many spinal vascular diseases, such as arteriovenous fistula (AVF), arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and aneurysm, and can serve as a collateral channel in proximal VA occlusion. In AVF and AVM, when the cervical ASA is involved, it often plays the role of an accomplice or victim because it acts as the feeder or as a bystander that does not provide blood flow to the AVF and AVM. In cervical ASA aneurysm, the ASA is a victim. During EVT of VA aneurysms or stenoses, the cervical ASA ostia can be covered or occluded, resulting in ASA ischemia. In this situation, the ASA is a victim. In VA occlusion or the subclavian steal phenomenon, the cervical ASA can serve as a collateral channel to provide blood flow to the posterior circulation. In this case, the ASA plays the role of a friend. According to the role of the cervical ASA in spinal vascular diseases, EVT should be determined “case by case.” Most importantly, when EVT is performed to treat these diseases, the cervical ASA axis must be preserved. Therefore, understanding the role of the cervical ASA in spinal vascular diseases is crucial.

Embolization Tactics of Spinal Epidural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Purpose

Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEDAVFs) show an epidural venous sac often with venous congestive myelopathy (VCM) due to intradural reflux at a remote level to which a transarterial approach would be difficult. We present 12 cases of SEDAVF with VCM and describe 3 main tactics for effective transarterial embolization.

Materials and Methods

Among 152 patients with spinal vascular malformations diagnosed in our tertiary hospital between 1993 and 2019, 12 SEDAVF patients with VCM were included. Three different transarterial embolization tactics were applied according to the vascular configuration and microcatheter accessibility. We evaluated treatment results and clinical outcomes before and after treatment.

Results

Transarterial embolization with glue (20–30%) was performed in all patients. The embolization tactics applied in 12 patients were preferential flow (n=2), plug-and-push (n=6), and filling of the venous sac (n=4). Total occlusion of the SEDAVF, including intradural reflux, was achieved in 11 (91.7%) of 12 patients, and partial occlusion was achieved in 1 patient. No periprocedural complications were reported. Spinal cord edema was improved in all patients for an average of 18 months after treatment. Clinical functional outcome in terms of the pain, sensory, motor, and sphincter scale and modified Rankin scores improved during a mean 25-month follow-up (6.3 vs. 3.3, P=0.002; 3.6 vs. 2.3, P=0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment for 12 SEDAVF patients with VCM achieved a total occlusion rate of 91.7% without any periprocedural complication. The combined embolization tactics can block intradural reflux causing VCM, resulting in overall good clinical outcomes.

Management of spinal aneurysms associated with arteriovenous malformations: systematic literature review and illustrative case

PURPOSE

Spinal aneurysms are rare vascular malformations, commonly associated with spinal AVMs. AVM-associated spinal aneurysms are burdened by significant morbidity. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the best treatment strategy for these uncommon vascular lesions and to report an illustrative case.

METHODS

We reviewed clinical and radiological data of a patient surgically treated at our institution for a spinal AVM with an associated prenidal aneurysm. According to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review has been performed in order to discuss the best management AVM-associated prenidal aneurysms.

RESULTS

In the reported case, the aneurysm showed spontaneous regression at follow-up after surgical removal of the AVM. Only 6 articles reported management of spinal prenidal AVM-associated aneurysms. Basing on our experience and data from literature, surgical treatment of the aneurysm may be indicated along with the resection of the AVM if the aneurysm is close to the nidus. Conversely, if the aneurysm is far away from the nidus or in an unfavorable position, resection of the nidus only may lead to aneurysm regression as in the reported case.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment strategy for AVM-associated spinal aneurysms should be tailored on the single patient. In presence of large aneurysms that cause mass-effect symptoms, when rupture of the aneurysm is suspected or when treatment of the AVM is not proposable, direct treatment of the aneurysm should be considered. Otherwise, when complete resection of the nidus is performed, the eventually associated unruptured aneurysms located in challenging positions can be safely managed conservatively.

Spinal vascular malformations: Angiographic evaluation and endovascular management

Spinal vascular malformations (SVM) are classified based on their location (intramedullary, perimedullary, radicular, extradural) and flow pattern (high-flow, low-flow, no arteriovenous shunt). High-flow SVMs are generally congenital lesions diagnosed in children and young patients without gender predominance. They present with hemodynamic disturbances, mass effect, or hemorrhages, but may also be discovered incidentally. Low-flow SVMs tend to be acquired lesions presenting in older men with progressive myelopathy caused by spinal venous hypertension. They are rarely associated with vascular syndromes but may accompany prothrombotic conditions. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional MRI are excellent for high-flow SVMs but poor for low-flow lesions, which are frequently diagnosed with extensive delays reducing the potential for favorable outcomes. The sensitivity of advanced MRI techniques remains unclear, notably for the detection of low-flow shunts without flow voids on conventional MRI. Catheter angiography remains the gold standard modality for the evaluation of the spinal vasculature and its disorders. SVMs can be treated by surgical or endovascular means. Initially plagued by high recurrence rates due to inadequate embolization material, endovascular techniques represent nowadays a valid alternative to surgery, thanks notably to the introduction of liquid embolic agents.

Anterior Cervical Pial Arteriovenous Malformation Associated with a Spinal Aneurysm: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Cervical pial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an extremely rare condition that can present with progressive myelopathy or acute hemorrhage (subarachnoid or intramedullary). The classification process is still a topic of discussion, given the limited number of cases described, as well as correct therapeutic management. Here, we present a case of a young female with anterior cervical pial AVM associated with spinal aneurysm.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 31-year-old female in the fifth month of pregnancy presented to the emergency department for tetraparesis, sphincter disturbances, and burning dysesthesia. Through magnetic resonance angiography, a cervical pial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with a spinal aneurysm has been diagnosed. After a multidisciplinary consult, a neurosurgical approach has been proposed to minimize the hemorrhagic risk. A laminectomy C2-C4 level was performed, followed by identification of the AVM on the anterior-lateral left-sided surface of the spinal cord. The lesion was associated with a thrombosed aneurysm at the C2 level. Using neurophysiologic monitoring, we performed a temporary clipping of afferent vessels to the AVM. The thrombosed aneurysm was removed. Indocyanine green fluorescein and intraoperative Doppler confirmed complete resolution of AVM. The postoperative course has been regular with no complications recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical procedure with perioperative neuromonitoring is an effective way to treat anterior cervical pial AVM associated with spinal aneurysm. A multidisciplinary approach is always suggested.

Massive subarachnoid hemorrhage during type iv spinal arteriovenous malformation embolization. An endovascular procedure complication

Spinal arteriovenous malformations are rare diseases with a low prevalence and a complex diagnosis that usually requires the several neuroscience disciplines collaboration. Multidisciplinary approach requires fluid communication, favorable work environment and a correct social relationship, thus avoiding the conflict of interest appearance. We reported a 31 years old female referred to our department with progressive asymmetric spastic paraparesia for 10 months of evolution and occasional bladder dysfunction. With the diagnosis of a type IV arteriovenous malformation, a scheduled embolization was performed resulting in a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the ASA laceration requiring an emergency bifrontal craniectomy. We discuss the neurosurgeońs role in complications during endovascular spinal vascular pathology treatment.

Intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage resulting from non-cervical spinal arteriovenous lesions: Analysis of possible cause of bleeding and literature review

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or intraventricle hemorrhage (IVH) with negative cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA) results, which are due to non-cervical spinal arteriovenous lesions, are uncommon. In this article we presented three cases from our hospital and nineteen cases from prior published literature and discussed clinical features, possible mechanisms underlying the hemorrhage and therapeutic strategies for managing this unusual entity. Our analysis revealed that headache was the most common initial symptom. Almost 60% of patients had symptoms related to the spinal cord at admission. Intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVM) were the most common type of malformation, and the thoracic segment was the most common location of the non-cervical spinal arteriovenous lesions. More than half of the patients had additional aneurysms. Surgery was chosen as the primary treatment modality in this series. Therefore, we speculate that thoracolumbar spinal arteriovenous lesions are an unusual cause of intracranial SAH with negative cerebral DSA results. If non-cervical spinal AVMs were associated with DSA-negative SAH, the pattern of hemorrhage could be manifested as the blood in supratentorial cisterns, the fourth ventricle or no copious blood around the foramen magnum as well (somewhat paradoxically), it depends on the timing of detection and image evaluation. The formation and the rupture of associated aneurysms were the most likely immediate cause of the intracranial SAH. If non-cervical spinal AVMs were not associated with DSA-negative SAH and all cases were genuine cases of 'SAH-of-unknown origin', the spinal AVM could be considered as incidental finding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the complete spinal neuraxis is recommended to either exclude or identify a spinal lesion in these patients. Catheter-based spinal angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of spinal vascular diseases. The decision regarding a therapeutic strategy is based on the angioarchitecture and on the type of spinal arteriovenous lesions.

Osseous versus Nonosseous Spinal Epidural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Experiences of 13 Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas are rare vascular malformations. We present 13 patients with spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas, noting the various presenting symptom patterns, imaging findings related to bone involvement, and outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 111 patients with spinal vascular malformations in the institutional data base from 1993 to 2017, thirteen patients (11.7%) had spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas. We evaluated presenting symptoms and imaging findings, including bone involvement and mode of treatment. To assess the treatment outcome, we compared initial and follow-up clinical status using the modified Aminoff and Logue Scale of Disability and the modified Rankin Scale.

RESULTS

The presenting symptoms were lower back pain (n = 2), radiculopathy (n = 5), and myelopathy (n = 7). There is overlap of symptoms in 1 patient (No. 11). Distribution of spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas was cervical (n = 3), thoracic (n = 2), lumbar (n = 6), and sacral (n = 2). Intradural venous reflux was identified in 7 patients with congestive venous myelopathy. The fistulas were successfully treated in all patients who underwent treatment (endovascular embolization, n = 10; operation, n = 1) except 2 patients who refused treatment due to tolerable symptoms. Transarterial glue (n = 7) was used in nonosseous types; and transvenous coils (n = 3), in osseous type. After 19 months of median follow-up, the patients showed symptom improvement after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Although presenting symptoms were diverse, myelopathy caused by intradural venous reflux was the main target of treatment. Endovascular treatment was considered via an arterial approach in nonosseous types and via a venous approach in osseous types.

Long term follow-up of endovascular management of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations with emphasis on particle embolization

Objective

To determine long term safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), with calibrated particle embolization as a firstline approach.

Methods

We reviewed clinical and imaging data of consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for both nidal and fistulous type spinal cord AVMs in our center, from 1990 to 2015. Outcome at the last follow-up was assessed by an independent observer.

Results

Embolization of spinal cord AVMs was performed in 61 patients, including 46 (75%) with particles (exclusively in 29 patients), 30 (49%) with cyanoacrylate, and 6 (10%) with combined surgical treatments. Particle embolizations were iterative in 33 patients (median number of sessions 5 (range 3–6)). Neurological deterioration after treatment occurred in 5 patients (cyanoacrylate=4, surgery=1, particles=0; P<0.001). At a median follow-up of 6 years (range 3–13 years), angiographic cure was obtained in 11/61 (18%) patients (nidal type=6/53 (11%), fistulous type=5/8 (63%)). In progressive forms, neurological improvement occurred in 16/28 (57%) patients, stabilized in 9/28 (31%), and worsened in 3/28 (12%). In hemorrhagic forms, the rebleeding rate was 4/14 patient years without standard treatment, 0/322 patient years in partial iterative treatment, and 0/15 patient years in angiographically cured lesions (P=0.001).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that particle embolization as a firstline therapy to treat spinal cord AVMs is safe and offers long term efficacy, especially for those with small, distal, and multiple shunts. Partial occlusion of the AVM may be sufficient to prevent rebleeding, without the potential risks of complete occlusion. Particle calibration and injection technique, ‘one by one’, are critical to safety. Cyanoacrylate embolization or surgery remains necessary if particle embolization fails to occlude large shunts.